I am a chronic worrier. Uncertainty terrifies me. Throughout my life I have asked a lot of questions – many of which begin with the frenzied words, “What if….?” I have also received a lot of answers. Many of which end with, “Don’t worry. It will be okay.” But how can any of us know if it will be okay?

Have you ever considered yoga for yourself or your child on the autism spectrum? Yoga and other mindfulness practices offer simple and powerful strategies that can help us feel calm and focused and manage day-to-day stress. Mindfulness simply means paying attention in a relaxed way to what we are experiencing in-the-moment. Yoga is a form of mindfulness practice that uses body positions, movement and breathing exercises.

The following exercises are appropriate and safe for healthy individuals of all ages and do not require any prior yoga experience.

A few years ago I was leading a parent of teen support group when a mother expressed her irritation with her son’s special interest, the Titanic. “The Titanic,” one father shot back, “I’d love to hear about that, I’m stuck with Pokemon.” At AANE we frequently hear parents’ complaints about special interests. We understand, it can be hard to live with someone else’s special interest. Some parents easily embrace their child’s interests, some find this a lot harder, but we have found that having more information about the purpose of special interests can make living with them easier.

The first time I ever came to the AANE office, it was to participate in a painting workshop. It was there that I saw a copy of “Seeing with a Different Eye,” the catalog of the art exhibit from fall 2007 Asperger Connections Conference. I vowed to get some of my art into the next event, and my work was included in the fall 2009 exhibit. As a result I learned about the Artists Collaborative, and I’ve been coming to meetings regularly.

Recently, a classroom of children was asked this tantalizing question. Their objective was to focus on one of their talents and develop that into a superhero character. Their amazing powers ranged from being a great hockey player, to sounding out words, and caring for animals. Each child had something unique and positive to offer during the assignment. It was a great reminder for the school community that everyone has value and talents. Unfortunately, this lesson isn’t always taken to heart by the student body. Lately, the evening news has been filled with negative headlines about online harassment. Why is cyberbullying so prevalent and what can we do to stop it?

The purpose of this piece is to share my experiences as a child with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). For those of you who don’t know what AS is, it is a condition that some people are born with. People with AS are usually incredibly smart and have creative, perceptive minds. Aspies (people with AS) usually have a few special interests that can get pretty intense. Sometimes, Aspies have a hard time discussing topics other than their special interests. AS can also impact how one functions in various social situations. More often than not, Aspies have a hard time coping with loud noises and bright lights. It can also be hard for Aspies to decipher the difference between a strict and a malicious tone of voice. Because of all of the challenges Aspies face, it can be hard for us to make friends or interact with other people. With the help of my family, friends, doctors, and teachers, I am learning how to not only cope, but thrive, with Asperger’s Syndrome. I have been asked several questions about life with AS over the years, and I will now attempt to try and answer some of them.

Children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) often have a team of parents, teachers, therapists, and other people to help them advance toward the goals in their Individualized Education Plans. But what if you are now an adult with AS? Did your AS traits and needs disappear when you reached the magic age of 18 (age of majority)? When you graduated from high school, had you learned all the basic skills you needed to handle the myriad challenges adulthood presents?

At AANE, we have spoken with thousands of adults with AS. Some have independent, satisfying lives. However, many adults we know—interesting, bright, funny, and talented people with much to offer—have gotten stuck in their lives. Most of them did not receive an AS diagnosis and appropriate interventions when they were children. Even younger-diagnosed adults may have received inadequate transition services in high school, or they “fell off the grid” when they exited the structure of high school or college. Many may be unemployed or underemployed, lonely and discouraged.Perhaps this is how you feel. Perhaps you don’t know what to do, where to turn for help. But there’s hope! You can put together a team to help you overcome obstacles and move toward a more rewarding life.

Ah, the winter holidays…songs tell us it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but in many cases, it’s the most stressful. Just when our kids are finally settled in their school routine, they get up to two weeks off. Often during this time people travel, visit family and have company. All of these wonderful events represent change and transition for our kids. Even the decorations, lights, and carols can be overwhelming, both because of sensory considerations and because they are different. Fear not—we at AANE have collected a few tips over the years to help

What does hiking do for me? The life of a hiker offers a simple, regimented, regular routine that is the same day in and day out. Every hiker has a different routine, but the bottom line is that one walks. A lot. Close to every day. My hiking routine helps me stay focused and organized.